Week 5 Fantasy Football RB Start/Sit Decisions: Wilson, Hampton, Gordon and More

Week 5 of the NFL regular season kicks off tonight, and then a bunch of games remain for Sunday and Monday. Let's take a look at some start/sit decisions for players in the later games this week!

We'll look at the running back position here. Check back for more start/sit content later in the week!

Use the FantasySP start/sit decision for all your Week 5 lineup decisions! Projections and defensive rankings are also available!

Backs in the Most Trending Decisions

There are four running backs who are part of several trending start/sit decisions. We'll discuss those four backs at length, then some of the running backs they are being compared to.

Miami's Ollie Gordon is the first back we'll discuss.

Gordon will be facing off against the Bengals in Week 5. So far, Cincy has been a tougher test for running backs.

He's done most of his production over the past two games - the one De'Von Achane got hurt in and then the first full game without him. Gordon has 26 attempts over those contests, and has rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns, while catching five passes for 14 yards.

Cincinnati has some offensive players banged up, but Miami will still be a big underdog in this contest. If the Dolphins can keep it close, then Gordon could be in for a better fantasy showing, but the matchup and game outlook aren't in his favor.

Seattle's Emanuel Wilson is the next running back we will get into.

He's going to be facing the Niners this week. San Fran has struggled to slow backs so far, allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game.

Wilson could be in line for a big workload again this week, several days after he rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown across 21 attempts. He added 39 yards and a score on three catches to post a monster fantasy score.

As long as he's the lead back in Seattle, and Zach Charbonnet doesn't return, Wilson could be a really good fantasy asset to utilize. I like his matchup and what he just did, so I think he should be starting in most leagues.

New York Jets' Braelon Allen is the third back who is in a handful of trending decisions.

Allen figures to lead the Jets' backfield against the Browns in Week 5 as Breece Hall is still battling an injury. Cleveland has been one of the stiffest tests for fantasy RBs so far though.

Allen got 16 touches in his first start last week, but he managed just 67 total yards, and with no scores, it wasn't a great fantasy score. His outlook is worse this week due to the matchup, so I'd be very cautious in using Allen in Week 5. 

The final running back we will discuss to start things off is Los Angeles Chargers' Omarion Hampton.

He will be taking on the Broncos this week. Denver has struggled to slow RBs, and has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points so far.

Hampton has mostly functioned as the top back for the surprisingly bad Chargers, but he only got 11 touches last week, so that was concerning. Hampton has three touchdowns to offset some pretty low yardage outputs.

His outlook is still strong enough this week to consider using him in all league types. Then, it's just a matter of him getting enough work to put up a good fantasy score.

Other Backs to Consider

New England's Rhamondre Stevenson, Jacksonville's Bhayshul Tuten, Houston's David Montgomery and Cleveland's Quinshon Judkins are some backs being compared to the four RBs we opened up talking about.

Stevenson will be facing the Raiders this week. That's a pretty average matchup for the Patriots' RB, who has been splitting the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson so far.

Tuten will be taking on the Eagles, who are a slightly above-average matchup to this point of the season. Tuten has gotten plenty of work through four weeks, and has delivered pretty solid fantasy production.

Montgomery will face the Titans in Week 5. Tennessee is a slightly below-average test for the veteran, who has struggled to do much as a fantasy asset since Week 1.

Judkins gets a very favorable matchup against the Jets this week. New York is a top-five matchup through four weeks of play. He's coming off his best fantasy outing, and continues to get a good amount of work each game, so I like his outlook this week.

Start/Sit Recommendations

I ranked my top-30 running backs for Week 5, and all the backs we've discussed made the cut.

Judkins was ranked the highest of the eight running backs we've mentioned, coming in 13th. Tuten was next at No. 16, with Wilson a spot behind him.

Stevenson was next at No. 20, before Allen was at No. 21. Montgomery was my No. 23 back this week, with Hampton at No. 25. Gordon was the last one ranked, coming in 29th.

Right now, fantasy owners like Wilson over Gordon, with 30% of people starting both backs together. Hampton is the favorite over Allen, with owners starting both guys 37% of the time. 

Tuten is preferred over Wilson, with both backs starting 68% of the time. Fantasy owners like Hampton over Montgomery, with both being started 53% of the time.

Stevenson is being started over Gordon, with both starting nearly 33% of the time. Gordon is preferred barely over Allen, with both starting 20% of the time.

Hampton is who fantasy owners like over Stevenson, with both starting 41% of the time. Wilson is the heavy favorite over Stevenson, although both are starting nearly 49% of the time. 

Judkins is a heavy favorite over Allen, with fantasy owners starting both 37% of the time.